Concrete block molding machine



y 15, 1952 v. H; MICHAEL CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. 10, 1950 INVENT OR rEeA/o/v H. MICHAEL,

ATTORNEYS y 15, 1952 1. H. MICHAEL CQNCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 10, 1950 INVENT OR VEeNo/v H. MICHAEL,

ATTORNEYS July 15, 1952 v. H. MICHAEL CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Filed Feb. 10, 1950 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG. 4.

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INVENTOR a Ee/volv H. MICHAEL ATTORNEYS Patented J y 52.

UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE CONCRETE BLOCK MOLDING MACHINE Vernon H. Michael, Loveland, Ohio Application February 10, 1950, Serial 'No. 143,520

Claims.

This invention relates to concrete block-forming machines, and more particularly to means for automatically feeding material to the concrete block machine and for automatically stripping the molded blocks from the machine.

A main object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved automatic feeding and stripping attachment for a concrete block machine, said attachment being relatively simple in construction, being reliable in operation, and providing a great saving in time and labor in the forming of concrete building blocks by the use of a block-molding machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved automatic feeding and stripping attachment for a concrete block machine, said attachment being inexpensive to manufacture, being adaptable for a wide range of different types of block machines, being rugged in construction, and providing alternate cycles wherein material is first fed to the concrete block machine to be molded, and wherein the molded blocks are subsequently stripped from the molding machine in timed sequence with respect to the operation of the material-feeding portion of the attachment.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved feeding and stripping attachment for a block-molding machine, said attachment being relatively compact in size, involving only a few parts, being easy to maintain and to adjust, requiring a relatively small power unit, and greatly reducing the cost of manufacture of molded concrete blocks.

Further objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description and claims, and from the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of an attachment according to the present invention arranged for use with a conventional concrete block-molding machine; I

Figure 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the attachment shown in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional detail view taken on line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a top plan detail view of the gravityoperated tripper mechanism employed in the at tachment of Figure 1;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the tripper mechanism of Figure 5; p y l Figure 7 is an end elevational view of the tripper mechanism of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged perspective detail view of the slotted connecting rod employed to drive the main feed carriage propelling arm of the attachment of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, II designates a base plate on which is mounted a conventional block-molding machine l2. The block-molding machine is provided with a block-stripping mechanism operated by a pivoted arm l3, which functions in a well known manner to eject a molded block from the machine responsive to counterclockwise rotation of the arm I3 from the position shown in Figure 1.

Secured to'the base I l are vertical end supports I4 connected by suitable cross-braces to define a frame at the left end of the apparatus, as viewed in Figure 1. Secured to the base I l are vertical intermediate supports I5 connected by suitable cross-braces and connected by longitudinal, horizontal angle bars IE to the end supports I4, the horizontal flanges of the angle bars being inwardly directed, as shown at IT, to define supporting tracks. The respective bars I6 are braced to the supports I5 by respective brace bars l8. Designated at I9 is a stationary hopper secured in any suitable manner in overlying relation to the forward end of the receiving table 20 of the block machine l2. Designated at 2| is a sliding carriage provided with rollers 22 engaging the track flanges I1 and carrying a hopper 23 extending substantially from the plane of the discharge opening of hopper I9 to the top plane of the receiving table 20 and being received in an upwardly flared hopper member 24 slidably carried on said table. The feeder carriage 2| carries a horizontal valve plate 25 which covers the bottom of stationary hopper I!) when the carriage is moved to the left from the position shown in Figure 1 in transferring material to the mold cavities of the machine I2.

Secured to the right end of the base plate II, as viewed in Figure 1, are vertical end supports 26, and secured to the top ends of supports 26 and to the supports I5 is a horizontal frame 21 on which are mounted the respective motors 28 and 29. The shaft of motor 28 is coupled by suitable pulleys and a belt 30 to a vibrator 3| carried by the receiving table 20. Motor 28 is connected to a suitable power source through a normally open control switch 32 secured beneath the frame 21. Switch 32 has an operating shaft 33 carrying a depending arm 34 provided at its end with a contact roller 35, as shown in Figure 4.

Secured to base I l inwardly of the intermediat vertical supports I5 is a block 35 to the side of which is pivoted an upwardly extending arm 31. The top end of arm 3": is connected by a link bar 33 to a depending flange 39 carried by the carriage 2|.

Secured to base below motor 29 is an upstanding support 58. Journaled in the upper portion of support it is a first transverse shaft 4| carrying respective small gears 42 and 43 and carrying a'large pulley l4. Pulley 44 is coupled to a pulley 25 carried on the shaft of motor 29 by a belt 46. Mounted in the support at below shaft 4| is another shaft 4'! on the end portions of which are journaled the respective large gears 48 and 39 meshing respectively with the small gears 42 and i3. Secured to gear 49 is an arm 55. Pivoted to the end of arm 58 isa connecting rod 5| formed with a longitudinal slot 52. The arm is hooked downwardly at its end, as shown at 53, the slot therein being similarly hooked downwardly, as shown at 54. Arm 31 carries a pin 55 which is slidably engaged in the slot in connect- In the position shown in Figure 4, rod 5| is ineffective to deliver-clockwise thrust to arm 3'! since the pin 55 is in the straight portion of the slot 52. When the connecting rod 5| is lifted, the pin55 may become engaged in the hooked slot portion 5%, whereby clockwise thrust may be delivered to the arm 31 by said connecting rod responsive to the rotationof arm 50.

Pivoted to the intermediate portion of arm 31 at 51 is a link bar56, and pivoted to bar 56 at 58 is a depending arm 59 carrying a laterally extends ing roller 56 at its lower end which underlies the connecting rod 5|. Designated generally at 6| is a tripping mechanism carried on an upstanding bracket 52 secured to frame 21. As shown in Figure 3, the tripping mechanism comprises a lever 63 pivoted at 64 to the top end of bracket 62 for rocking movement. One end of lever 63 is connected by a chain 55 to the top end of arm 59.

Secured to gear 48 is an arm 56. Designated at 6'! is a collar slidably mounted on the stripper arm l3. Designated at 12 is an arm pivoted at 13 to the adjacent support l5. A link bar 68 is pivoted at one end to the collar 61. Link-bar 68 is upwardly angled at its other end, as shown at 14, and is pivotally connected at T5 to the end of arm 72. Link bar 58 is formed with an elongated slot having anupwardly directed end portion adjacent the angled bar portion '14. Designated at'lE isa connecting rod pivotallywconnected at H to the end of arm 66. Secured to the end of rod H3 is a block member 78 carrying a pin 19 whichis slidably received in the slot 13. When the pin '19 is in the straight portion of the slot 10, no counterclockwise thrust, as viewed in Figure 1, can be transmitted by rod '16 to the stripper arm I3. When the block 78 is lifted, the pin 19 may become engaged in the upwardly directed slot portion H, whereby counterclockwise thrust may be delivered to the stripper arm l3, as viewed in Figure 1, responsive to rotation of arm 66.

Designated at 89 is a lever pivoted at 8| to the support adjacent the bar 68, saidlever 8D underlying the block 18. The end of lever 80 is connected by a chain 82 to the end of tripper lever 63 opposite to the connection of chain-65.

The top portion of bracket 52 carries opposing triangular stop flange-s 83, 83 underlying the lever 63, as shown in Figure 6, and limiting the rocking movement of said lever. Secured to the ends of the lever 53 are parallel, opposing, horizontal arms 84 and 85, and secured to the ends of said arms is a track rod 86. Designated at 87 is a weighted block having upstanding hanger brackets E8 to the ends of which are journaled grooved rollers 89, 89 engaged on the track rod 86, whereby the block 87 is movably suspended from the track rod. Rocking of the lever 63 clockwise, as viewed in Figure 6, causes the block 81 to move by gravity to the position of Figure 3, applying tension to chain 82. Conversely, rocking of the lever 63 counterclockwise causes the block 81 to move to the left in Figure 3, applying tension to the chain 65.

In order to rock the lever 63, it is necessary to move block 81 from one end of the track rod toward the other, past the dead center position of the block with respect to said track rod. Referring to Figure 5, it will be seen that a first cable 90 is connected to one of the brackets 88 and that a second cable 9| is connected to the other bracket 88. Cable 90 extends around pulleys 92 and 93 on the lever 63 and over a pulley 94 on the brace bar |8 and is fastened to the stripper arm |3 at 95. Cable 9| extends around pulleys 96 and 91 on the lever 63 and is fastened to the top portion of arm 31 at 98. From Figure 1 it will be seen that counterclockwise movement of stripper arm l3 will produce tension in cable 50, causing block 8'! to be moved toward the left, as viewed in Figure 5, overbalancing the lever as the block moves past dead center, and causing the lever to be rocked counterclockwise, as viewed in Figure 6. As above mentioned, this produces tension in chain 65, at the same time removing tension from chain 82. The tension applied to chain 65 causes roller 60 to lift slotted arm 5| to engage the slot portion 54thereof with the pin 55. When tension is removed from chain 82, lever is free to drop, and block l8 descends, allowing pin 79 to enter the straight portion of slot 10, terminating the thrust on stripper arm l3.

From Figure 4 it will be seen that clockwise movement of arm 31 produces tension in cable 9|, causing the weight 8'! to be shifted to the right in Figure 5, and causingthe lever 63 to be rocked clockwise, as viewed in Figure 6, wherebytension is provided in chain 82 and tension is removed from chain 65.

In operation, gears 48 and 49 are driven continuously causing the arms 66 and 50 to be continuously rotated. Assume the parts to be in the position of Figure 1. In this position the mold has been filled by a previous feeding stroke of hopper 23 and is ready to be stripped. Chain 82 is in tension and lever 80, therefore, supports pin 19 in coupling position in slot portion ll of arm 58. At the same time, pin 55 of arm 37 is in the straight portion of the slot 52 in arm 5|. Arm 86 now rotates and drives stripper arm l3 counterclockwise, stripping the molded block from the machine I2. As this occurs, lever 63 is rocked by cable 90, releasing lever 8|) and lifting arm 59 so that roller 60 exerts lifting force on connecting rod 5|. At this point pin 55 is in an intermediate position in slot 52 so that connecting rod 5| cannot as yet drive the feeding arm 31. Continued rotation of crank arm 66 causes the pin '19 to return through the slot 70, restoring the tripper arm [3 to its starting position as the pin 19 engages the slot portion 1| and retracts arm 68. This completes the stripping cycle. At this point the connecting rod 5| has been moved to a position wherein said rod may be lifted to engage its slot portion 54 with the pin 55, the roller 60 exerting the re quired lifting force. Continued rotation of crank arm 50 then produces clockwise thrust .necting rod 5| to descend so that said rod can transmit no further thrust to arm 31. As the arm 31 swings clockwise, as viewed in Figure 4, an extension 99 thereon (Figure 2) engages the switch roller 35 energizing the vibrator 3|. At this point, the hopper 23 is over the mold cavities and discharges into said cavities. The chain 82 is also in a taut condition, but pin 19 is in an intermediate position in slot 10, so that the stripper arm l3 cannot as yet be actuated. As arm 53 continues its rotation, connecting rod 5| is retracted, returning arm 31 to its initial position, shown in Figure 1. Roller 35 is released, de-energizing the vibrator. As arm 68 returns to its original position, shown in Figure 1, pin 19 is lifted into slot portion II, and the abovedescribed cycle of operations is then repeated.

It is thus apparent that during one revolution of gear shaft 41 the feed hopper 23 is moved from beneath the supply hopper l9 to a position over the mold cavities, the material is discharged from said feed hopper into said cavities, the mold is vibrated, and the feed hopper 23 is returned to its original position beneath the supply hopper. During the next revolution of the gear shaft 4'1, the stripper arm 13 is rotated, causing the molded block to be ejected from the mold, and the stripper arm I3 is returned to its starting position. The movement of arm 31 toward feeding position of feed hopper 23 trips the lever 63, establishing tension in chain 82 for subsequently coupling connecting rod 16 to the stripper arm l3. The movement of stripper arm l3 toward block-stripping position again trips lever 63, establishing tension in chain 65 for subsequently coupling connecting rod 5| to the arm 3'! for initiating the mold feeding cycle.

The switch operated by roller 35 may be connected in the energizing circuit of a suitable time relay having a first set of normally open contacts controlling the vibrator motor 28 and a second set of normally closed contacts in the energizing circuit of the main motor 29. The contacts of this time relay are arranged to close the energizing circuit of the vibrator motor responsive to engagement of roller 35 by extension 99, and at the same time to open the energizing circuit of main motor 29 for a definite period of time. Thus, when the vibrator motor is energized, the time relay stops the main motor 29 for said time period. This lengthens the time of operation of the vibrator, making for a much more solid block.

Although a specific embodiment of a mechanism for automatically feeding material to a concrete block machine and stripping the molded blocks from the machine has been disclosed in the foregoing description, it is to be understood that various modifications within the spirit of the invention may occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that no limitations be placed on the invention except as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus of the character described comprising a support, a concrete block-molding machine mounted on said support, said machine having a top table provided with mold cavities and having a block-stripping mechanism, a stationary hopper carried on said support above 6 the'table and offset from saidmold cavities, guide rails carried on'said support and extending between the bottom of said hopper and a position above said cavities, a carriage slidably mounted on said guide rails, a feed hopper carried by said.

carriage, said feed hopper be ng registrablein a first position of said carriage with the bottom of said stationaryhopper and in a second'posi'-" tion of said carriage with the moldcavitie'sya rotatable shaft mounted on said supportfacra'nk member secured to said shaft, means releasably connecting the 'crankmember to the carriage, and means releasing the connection between the crank member and the carriage responsive to operation of the block-stripping mechanism.

2. An apparatus of the character described comprising a block-molding machine having a block-stripping mechanism, a reciprocable feed hopper movable back and forth over said blockmolding machine, a drive shaft, first reciprocable coupling means connecting said drive shaft to the feed hopper, second reciprocable coupling means connecting the drive shaft to the stripping mechanism, means for disconnecting the second coupling means responsive to forward feeding movement of the feed hopper, and means for disconnecting the first coupling means responsive to forward operating movement of the block-stripping mechanism.

3. An apparatus of the character described comprising a block-molding machine having a block-stripping mechanism, a reciprocable feed hopper movable back and forth over said blockmolding machine, a drive shaft, a first reciprocable coupling means detachably connecting said drive shaft to the feed hopper, second reciprocable coupling means detachably connecting the drive shaft to the stripping mechanism, a tripping mechanism comprising a movable member, and respective means connecting said movable member to said feed hopper and to said stripping mechanism, said movable member being formed and arranged to disconnect the first coupling means in one position of the movable member and to disconnect the second coupling means in another position of the movable member.

4. An apparatus of the character described comprising a block molding machine having a reciprocable block stripping mechanism, a feed hopper positioned adjacent said block molding machine and mounted for movement from the position adjacent said block molding machine to a position over said block molding machine, a drive shaft, a first reciprocable coupling means connecting said drive shaft to said block stripping mechanism and responsive to completion of movement of said feed hopper to the position adjacent said block molding machine for effecting the reciprocation of said block stripping mechanism, and a second reciprocable coupling means connecting said drive shaft to said feed hopper and actuable in response to movement of said feed hopper to the position over said block molding machine for maintaining said block stripping mechanism against reciprocation.

5. An apparatus of the character described comprising a block molding machine having a reciprocable block stripping mechanism, a feed hopper positioned adjacent said machine and mounted for movement from the position adjacent said block molding machine to a position over said block molding machine, a drive shaft, a first reciprocable coupling means connecting said drive shaft to said block stripping mechanism and responsive to completion of movement 7, of said feed hopper to the position adjacent said block molding machine for effecting the reciprocationof said block stripping mechanism, a second reciprocable coupling means connecting said drive shaft to said feed hopper and actuable in response to movement of said feed hopper to the position over said block molding machine for maintaining said block stripping mechanism against reciprocation, a vibrator mounted on said block molding machine, a second drive shaft op eratively connected tosaid vibrator, means carried by said second coupling means and actuable upon; movement of said feed hopper to the position over said block molding machine for operating said vibrator.

VERNON H. MICHAEL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 10 Number Name Date 1,613,631 Weiss Jan. 11, 1927 2,308,132 Wellnitz Jan. 12, 1943 2,389,673 Lofdahl Nov. 2'7, 1945 

